Group Art Director at Media24 (Pty) Ltd

Key deliverables in this role:

Art Direction: Woolworths & Woolworths Ventures

• Work with the internal team to interpret and execute Woolworths brand-specific briefs, ensuring all creative output is on-brand, on-brief and of the highest quality.
• Execute on client campaign briefs from development of high-level concepts through to full campaign roll-out across relevant channels.
• Provide clear, detailed visual briefs and references to all teams producing Woolworths assets, including external suppliers and freelancers.
• Attend Woolworths internal reviews to present concepts, approve mock-ups and sign off on final executions, ensuring brand integrity at every stage.
• Conceptualise, brief and attend monthly W Cellar stills shoots, working closely with the Food Director as required to art direct both stills and video content that reflects the Woolworths brand and answers the specific brief.
• Oversee the design of all W Cellar deliverables — including email campaigns and social content — ensuring design is consistently aligned to channel best practice and brand standards.
• Extend this oversight across the broader Woolworths Ventures portfolio, including Now Now and W Café, W Edit and Engen maintaining visual consistency and creative excellence across all touchpoints.
• Drive the creative process on new business pitches, developing compelling creative solutions and presenting these confidently to clients and senior stakeholders.
• Build and nurture strong working relationships with Woolworths brand and agency teams, positioning the division as the trusted, go-to creative partner for premium content and design.

Design, Production & General

• Work closely with the Group Operations Manager to plan and manage workflow effectively, ensuring all projects are delivered on time and to the highest standard.
• Contribute hands-on design work to TASTE channels and other Woolworths projects as required, demonstrating creative versatility.
• Oversee the repro process on design work, maintaining the rigorous quality standards expected by the client and upholding the division's reputation for excellence.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of each brand's CI and ensure all creative output across the portfolio is aligned and consistent.

Leadership & Training

• Communicate your creative vision clearly and inspirationally, passing on skills and providing meaningful direction to the Senior Multimedia Designer.
• Champion a collaborative, inclusive team environment where ideas are welcomed, feedback is constructive and great work is celebrated.
• Stay ahead of creative trends, emerging technologies (including AI applications) and industry developments, bringing fresh thinking and inspiration to the team.

What you would require:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Graphic Design, Art Direction, Visual Communication or a related creative field.
• A minimum of 10 years' experience in a senior art direction or design role, ideally within a media, publishing, content agency or brand environment.
• Proven experience art directing across both print and digital platforms, with a strong portfolio demonstrating versatility, creative problems solving and a consistently high standard of work.
• Experience in food, lifestyle or retail brand environments is highly advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and develop junior team members.
• Proven experience working directly with clients and presenting creative work confidently to senior stakeholders.
• A track record of successfully delivering complex, multi-channel campaigns from concept through to execution.

What we’re looking for:

• Exceptional eye for design, typography, colour and visual storytelling across all media formats.
• Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and a keen interest in AI applications and emerging creative tools. Illustration and knowledge of moving content creation advantageous.
• Strong understanding of digital content best practices across social, email, web and video formats.
• Ability to develop, interpret and apply brand guidelines, translating them into compelling, on-brand creative work.
• Excellent briefing skills - able to provide clear, inspiring and actionable direction to photographers, videographers, stylists and illustrators.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple briefs simultaneously without compromising quality or missing deadlines.
• A collaborative, solutions-focused approach with strong communication and interpersonal skills at all levels.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while consistently maintaining a high standard of output.